Starting or running a business in Langley

Langley is two municipalities, and which one your business is in decides who you ask for a licence. Our City vs. Township page shows how to tell them apart. Below is what each one’s own site says. Fees and rules change, so use the links and confirm before you pay.

City of Langley

The City says every business operating in the City needs a licence. Its steps:

1. Pick a spot and check zoning. Use the zoning bylaw and the City’s map tool, or ask Development Services whether a location suits your business.
2. Get a building permit if you’re renovating. Work needs a passed final inspection before the licence is issued.
3. Apply. Email the application to [email protected], then pay the non-refundable fee.
4. Wait for referrals. The City sends your application to the likes of the Fire Department, the RCMP and Fraser Health.
5. Renew each year. The licence runs to the end of the calendar year.

The City’s page lists 2024 fees, such as $286 for a regular or home-based business, with no charge for non-profits. Late renewals carry a penalty. You can pay online, by mail or at City Hall, but not by phone. The City’s business page also points to BizPal.ca for municipal and provincial permits.

Township of Langley

The Township’s page gives three steps: check zoning (its GeoSource map or the zoning bylaw), choose your licence type, then submit the application with the right checklist. New or relocating businesses should allow at least 30 business days, because building and fire inspections may be needed.

Licence types are home-based, inter-municipal, non-resident, and a general retail, commercial, industrial and other category. Home-based businesses follow Section 104.3 of the zoning bylaw, and the page adds a few extra forms for renters and strata owners. Family daycares need to contact Fraser Health first. The page says licences renew on a calendar-year cycle starting January 1, 2026, with notices going out in early December. Fees sit in a bylaw schedule, and non-profits pay nothing but still need a licence.

Questions go to the Licences and Policies team: 604-533-6018 or [email protected]. To close a business, use [email protected].

Working in more than one town

Trades and construction businesses can look at the Fraser Valley Inter-Municipal Business Licence, which lets one licence cover several taking-part municipalities. Both the City and the Township list it, so ask your own municipality.

Local and provincial help

• Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce. Networking, a member directory and events.
• Downtown Langley Business Association. The downtown City business group, with promotions and events.
• Small Business BC. A non-profit with workshops, webinars and advising on starting and running a BC business.
• WorkBC Centre Langley. Job-search and career help, at 110-19925 Willowbrook Drive, 604-360-4196. Its page lists weekday hours and a Saturday morning slot, so check the page for the current times.
• Other names on the City’s list. BC Registry for registering a name or incorporating, and Community Futures South Fraser for loans and advice.

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